Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-06-22
FATHER PLAYS BASE BALL.

Zone Oailp'
That was what the umpire said
The umpire was blessed with fluffy
blond hair that streamed in q colder
shower from under a knowing little
cap Of blue and white fla mel. The
umpira's costume was OF white fan
mel, trimmed with blue, cut without any
bIas, az an umpire's costume should
be, aud altogether about as neat 6
thing Gs ever was seen on a Da1 field
The umpire's eyes were as blue as the
sunny skies of Italy, and there was 6
pair OF peachy pink cheeks under the
eyes, and delicate little nose, piq
uantly celestial IN its inclination
strawberry lips ant teeth whittier than
the cover Of brand new ball. And
there wasn't 8 man in the game who
would have disputed the umpire's de.
clsicn for any honor known to the
glorious national pastime. There
wasn't one Of them who wasn't glad
to get out Just to hear the delicious
ripple OF that musical voice as it said;
STRIKER out"
And why was all this? Sir Walter
Scott remarks in 'Kenilworth:" SAL
for s. little pink and white-and so
falls ambition" The umpire's name
was Eulalia, and what Eulalia did
not know about the League rules was
what had not been written. The
boys-they were college boys and
called themselves men. striving by
frequent use of the razor to make
good their claim to the lordly title
the boys all swore by her. And even
when just s. few Of them went out for
q practice game OF zone, two, three
they would have their fair umpire out
to see the thing done properly. Once
and nit the umpire, and the
pitcher came pretty near being
mobbed right then and there. But
the umpire calmly stopped, picked up
the bail. and threw it back to the
pitcher, saying:
cone ball
And then the boys all cheered the
umpire and vowed that she was as
plucky Bs she was beautiful, and they
would all have fallen down and wor-
SHIPPED her immediately had they not
known tnat she could be as severely sa-
tiricai TO worshipers as she was
pIucky. Pretty soon father came
out IN MS comfortable white fannels,
and, wing down in the shade,
watched the game. Father was g. fine
specimen Of manhood, and though ne
was IL his fftieth year he could play
s. fine game Of tennis, kill twenty
eight cut OF thirty birds at the trap
every day, and chase the wild anise-
seed bag over the stlfest country
known TO the Dusenbury County
Hunt.
81 say. you boys" called father,
"what kind o. game is this you're
playing ?"
Base ball. of course" replied John
ny, with an indescrlbable sneer at his
sir6's ignorance.
Johnny was only l. and he knew it
ali. He was sure ne could pitch bet
ter than Harry, who was 20 and on
the Varsity nine, and catch all
around George, who was 10, Fresh
man, and one Of the best all-round
players in college.
''Bage bail, eh said father. "Well,
you don't play it as We used to twen-
ty-five years ago"
''Well, should hope not" was the
reply
s'Say, Pop" said frankie, who was
standing Ike patience on monument
on first base, "why don't you pull
of your coat and take hack at it ?''
'You irreverent young beggar," re-
sponded ssPop'' kalf laughing, "I'll
cOras over there and take hack at
you"
s'No, no." was the general chorus;
.'come and play"
Come. father" said the umpire,
now is the time to show these boys
what man knows about base ball. F"
The covert taunt of the beautiful
wretch was too much for father. He
arose and pulled off his coat, display
ing 8 supurb torso that mis- loose fan
mel shirt could not hide, and strobe
into the field.
"Here, Pop" cried Albert, "take
my place at short. and then you'll
soon get up TO pitcher"
Father accepted the generous offer
and oraced himself together in the
way VI a grounder.
Peter was at the bat and he gazed
-S-ACA Will al evil eye.
Harry had sent in q 'tcorker" and
Peter got one strike.
What makes you pitch so hard,
Harry 2"said father; she can't hit it,
''DOn't want him to-" said Harry;
S'what do you suppose Pm pitching
for but 10 get him out ?"
son, ne must hit it," said father
impatiantly; "that's no way to play.
Why [ remember when the Skowhe-
Cans beat the Jeremiahs 81 to AZ.
That was a game for you-none OF
your l 20 O business in those days."